Ryan: Culture obscures women’s sexuality

IMO, your notion that a double standard exists is misguided. These ads are created to attract business, so they are marketed to appeal to the potential customers and cultural stereotypes that the majority of both genders accept. If women want to express their sexuality, they should. No one is stopping them. The same goes for men that don't want to express the same. Both will be working against the grain of cultural stereotypes but that's life. Deal with it.

FYI, I don't subscribe to the notion that these ads have anything to do with the expression of sexuality. It's all about the act itself and sexuality is so much more than that.

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• Posted by nande230231 on February 1, 2008 at 5:53 p.m.
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Ryan: Culture obscures women’s sexuality

Hi nande230231, this is the author. Thank you for your response. I agree that these commercials represent cultural stereotypes that the majority of both genders adhere to, but I do think that this sort of societal pressure stifles sexuality by telling women that is isn't alright to talk about sex. This doesn't mean that all women are uneasy about talking about it.. and I 100% agree that women and men should never be afraid to express their sexuality. It is easy for us to talk about going against the grain in a college setting... but the "majority" we talk about aren't 18-25 year olds living in a liberal town. My manager at work asks that when I take my birth control, I do it so that no one will know what I'm doing. I wonder, "who the hell cares if or why I'm on birth control"... but I suppose he doesn't want to risk our customers thinking I'm a hussie... or something. Its like the same doulble-standard we've heard repeatedly: when a guy talks about having sex, hes cool, but when a girl does, shes a slut. This is a very generalized statement, obviously, but here, like in the commercials, we are not talking about absolutely everyone, but the "majority". Sexuality is most definitely not just about sex, but sex is a taboo topic I thought would serve to identify patriarchal forces today. I am so happy to talk about this with you, and that you read my column and responded. Thanks!

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• Posted by jlryan on February 1, 2008 at 11:11 p.m.
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Ryan: Culture obscures women’s sexuality

My general point is that you've picked a rather petty example of inequality, and one that goes both ways. Men are losers if they aren't sexually active. Women are skanks if they are (I'm not so sure that's true anymore). As to taking the pill at work, as a customer I would be offended if a woman or man was taking an oral contraceptive in front of me. It's tacky and unprofessional IMO.

Frankly, I think other women are the ones that perpetuate the historical female stereotypes the most. It puts women on a pedestal. If all things are equal b/ women and men, why buy you dinner, open your door, do all/most of the pursuing, etc.?

I'm a 33 y.o. moderately liberal nontrad. student who took my first semester at KU the fall of '92. There's a pretty big difference b/ then and now in terms of the openness of women towards sex and talking about sex and a lot of it I don't approve of (like a female 24 y.o. TA making a "bigger is better" comment during her office hours). When you leave campus, you'll have to pick and choose what battles are worth the fight. IMO, this isn't one of them.

Thanks for commenting on my comment.

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• Posted by nande230231 on February 2, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
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